Automobile steering mechanism



Feb. 15,1927. 1,617,458

E. c. RENAUD AUTOMOBILE STEERING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 12. 1923 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 9 a! ll M1711 Ill" 1 INVENTOR. mff

Maud

- ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 15, 1927.

EDWIN o. RnnAnn; or sir. a se s, inrssonn i" AUroivroB-rnn s rnnnrne ivr nolmmslvrf Application filed November 12, 1923; Serial; No. 674,367."

My invention relates to improvements in utomobile steering mechanisms. It relatesparticularly to novel means for releasably locking steering member, such as a steermg wheel, tothe steering post-of an autoniobi ie, whereby, when the steering member is not locked to thesteering post, unauthorized steering of the automobile by use of thesteerin'g post may be prevented. Adfurther object of my invention is to V provide novel means for preventing unau- V thorized access to the upper end of the steerin'g post in a structure embodying a steering member arranged to have releasable locked engagement with the steering post,

invention provides further novelmeans for locking a steering member to hub member-"adapted to be secured to steering post of anau'toniobile.

of the automobile in the usual manner may be'prevented. i v, I iyinvention also has for its "object the provision of a" reversibl'e'steering i'neinber 7 adapted tobe used in connection with a hub member secured to the steering post, combined with means for releasably locking said members together, whereby the' apparatus may be adapted for types of; automobiles in "which the spokes of the steering wheel ins cline either upwardly OrdOWn'Wardly.

My invention, provides further an automobile mechanism which is simple,cheap to make, durable, notliable to get out of order, nndwhich is eifici'ent'in' operation.

The novel features of my invention are hereinafter fully described and claimed;

In the aecompanying drawings, vvvliichfillustrate the preferred embodiment of my in \"enti'ony-" v Fig. a central vertical sectional View, partly broken ZLWRB Oi my improved steermgmechanisin, shownapplied to'a steering post of an automobile, the steering member beingshown in the position in which the spokes otfthe steeringlwheei incline down u 'ardiy, and the bolt beingsh'own in the r I locked-position.v

Fig; 2is a sectional view on :the line2 2 v of; Fig l, the bolt and some other ben gshown' 1n plan; i e

Air 1 q 1 any lnvention piovides still LLUi/hBLIIOYGl ineans for controlling" the lgnit on circuit of an automoblle', whereby unauthorlzed'use upper end ofthesteering post ito whichfi being mounted upon an annu Fig 3* is a reduced plan? view off-the mechanism; i v

Fig. 4: is a; plan-view, broken away, voi the two insulating rings and parts connectedtherewith, the two 'contactsof the ignition; circuit being shown separated.

Fig. 5 isv a view, partly in elevation aindi partly in vertical section of what is shown inFi-g. .J m 6zis a-sectionaon the line.6:, 6 of Fig. 1 Fig. 7is an elevation,'part1y broken away, 1 showing my improved. steeringvv mechanism applied to a steering post having. atapering upper portion, and the steering wheel being disposed: in the position reverse toits posi tion-i n- Fig.1., Similar reference} characters designate similar partsin thedifl 'erentviews.

, Itefer-ring particularly to F'g. l to Fig.v 6, 1 designates a steering post having a cylindrical upper end which is screvvthreade'd and-has fittedthereonth'e usualinut2'. a

My improved steering mechanism is prof-i vided with hub member 3 through whic'h" the steering post" 1extendsyand'iwhichfits over asleeve 4, which fitsth'e cylindrical t: is held from turning by a 'key 5. key 6 is disposedbetween the-sleeve ft and' rthe. hub'member 8; "The hub member 31 rests: on an inverted cup shaped-member 7 en- 'oircliifi the post 1 and which'res'ts upon and 5 5 is secured to the-steering post'c'asing 7". i A steering member, such as asteerrng wlieeh; hasa; central circular portion 8 in the-lower end of which is mounted a ring bearing-i member 9 having a ball race n Will-Ch are 9 mounted bearing balls- 10 w'vhich run in race-provided in a bearing ring 11', the latter ar' peripheral flange 12 0f themeinber 7. Y

In the-upper end of 8 is mounted a bearing ring'me'mber 13 having a race in which run bailslle .whiol-n V are disposedina race provided in a ring bearing member. 15, which rests on; the hub member 3" and th'egsleeve 41 and throng which extendsthe upper e'nd-of the steering post 1'. Thenut'Q bears against-theu pper side of the bearingmemb'er h 'ibj member 3 and steeringwheel 8have'ce op eratin'g. fitting means. by, which the steering heel is. adapted m be retfln'ised from the he circular portion; 9

' position-in which the spokes 16-thereof cX- tending'downwardly, as shown in Fig. 1

to "the position shown in Fig." 7,1in which the spokes 16 incline upwardly, thus accommodating the mechanism to the two types I of automobiles in which the spokes incline renut 2, for preventing unauthorized.removal spectively upwardly and downwardlyto permit convenient access to the hand operated levers carried on the steering post casing. The steering member is revoluble around the hub member 3, when it is desired to' render the steeringmechanism inoperative for steering the machine, for preventing theft or. unauthorized use of the machine.

The upper and lower ends of the circular portion 80f the steering member are alike in structure, and are each provided'with an areu'at'e lip 17 under which is adapted to be inserted the periphery. of a substantially circular cap 18,. which is adapted to cover the upper end of the steering post 1 and the of the nut, or access to the steering post for the. purpose of manipulating the latter. a

circular porti0n8 is provided with a chain The. steering wheel" at one side of the ber.;19. the top and bottom of which are I V respectively provided with openings and rivetholes 21. Attached to the cap 18 at the pin being mounted transversely in and V secured to a radial locking member, which may comprise a slidable bolt 25, mounted in radial hole v26 providedin the circular portion 8'', midway etween the-upper and lower ends thereof. The bolt is mounted in the chamber 19 which is, provided with an. inwardly extendingradial tubular boss '27, the outer end of which is normally closed by a'plugl28 having a lateralnotch-l29 in which is titted the adjacent end of the bolt Q25, the latter having a notch 30 in which is fitted the inner end of the plug 28, wherebyHthe-boltis' held from revolvin'gaxially. :9The1bo1t 25 is adapted to enter a chamber 1 31 provided in the hub member 3,. asshown in Figs.. 1 and 2, whereby the steering member is. adapted to be held from revolving relatively to the hub member 3, when it is desired-to steer the machine.

Acoilspring 32 encircles the boss 27, and

bears at its outer end against the inner wall "of'th'e chamber 19. The inner end of the spring'32 bears against a washer83 on the bolt 25,- the washer having a bearing against the pin 24. Thetension. of the spring 32 'normallylforces the bolt 25 to'the locking position'shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The slot- 23 is'constricted at its ends so as to prevent the passage therethrough of the head of the pin 24 when the bolt to permit the head of the pin 24 passingthrough, when the bolt 25 is'in the intermediate position, in which position, the.

bracket 22 is released from the pin 24, and the cap 18 may be removed'from the steering member.

A plate 34 normally covers the opening 20 which at the time is at the lowerside of the steering member, the plate being fastened to the walls of the. chamber 19 by rivets '35 mounted in the holes 21 adjacent to the plate. r

For sliding the bolt 25 from the locking position shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to release the steering member from the hub member, suitable means mayv be provided, preferably key operated means, comprising a lock having a casing 36 mountedin the wall. of the chamber 19, and a rotary-key operated member 37 mounted in the casing 36, and which is provided with an eccentric arm 38 which extends into a transverse hole 39 provided in the b0lt25. "The member 37 is operated by the usual key 40, the latter being adapted to turn the member 37 so as to force the bolt 25 from the locking position against the pressure of "the retracting spring 32.

WVhen .the key is turned to a position in which the bolt 25 is in the intermediate position, the head of the pin 24 will aline withjthe enlarged portion ofthe slot 23,

thus permitting the cap 18 to be removed,

which can not be removed without the use of the key. 7 r

After the key 40 has unlocked thebolt 25, the arm 38 willbe in a position diametrically opposite that shown inFig. 2, therer by holding the bolt disengaged from the hub member 3, so that the steering member will freely revolve on the hub member, thus preventing unauthorized'use of the machine in connectionwith the steering mechanism.

In order that the ignition circuit of the machine or other desiredv circuit ofthe ma chine may be made inoperative for its purpose, when the, steering member is unlocked from the hub member, the following de scribed mechanism may be provided.

Encircling the member 7 andresting on it is a ring 41 of insulating material provided in its upper side with two concentric channels 42 and 43 in which are respectively mounted two metal contact rings 44 and 45 A the 'path of movement of the bolt '25- V The latter has atj-itsinner end atip 55 o-fin sulati-ng Hltllfillitl, which, when the'bolt 5 1S 1 11 the lock ng position, shown -1n 'F 1gs'.-

1-.and2 bears against theconductor 549 so as tofihold the contact 54 against the contact 58, thus closing the circuit at'this point, when the steering member '8 is locked to the l hub member 3 by the 3 bolt '25. ,The'

machine maylthen'besteere'd and the engine operate'din: the usual manner.

MTo :render the machine i-nopei ative, =the openatorturns the key so that the armx38 isdisposed diametrically opposite from the position shoAv-n'in F'ig. 1 andFFigp2, thereby withdrawing the bolt 25 from the 'chamber 31 and-out of :engagement with-the hub member The tension of the spring conductors 48 and 49 will force the contacts '53 and 54 apart, thus breaking the circuit.

The hey z4OI-is then-withdrawn" frem :the

lock casing 36. The steering member Jmay no-wbe revolved without -etfecting any turning of the steering post 1.

If it is desired to remove the cap 18, the key 40 is inserted in the lock casing and turned to the intermediate position. The

pin 24 will then be in the intermediate position with respect to the slot123, so that the cap 18 may be lifted at its bracket end out or" the adjacent opening 20. The cap'may then be withdrawn from the adjacent lip 17. Access may then be had to the nut 2.

When the steering wheel is 'to be used with the spokes '16 inclining upwardly, as shown in Fig. 7 the steering member 8 is reversed, the former bottom side now being the top side. The plate 34 is detached and fastened to the steering member over the other opening 20. The-cap 18 and pin 24 are then mounted in the manner already described. The position of the bolt 25 in the middle position between the bearing rings 9 and 13, and midway between the upper and lower ends of the circular por-' tion 8 of the steering wheel, permits of the reversal of the steering member Without changing the relationship of the bolt 25 with relation to the hub member 3 and the conductors 48 and 49.

- To prevent possible contact of the latter with the hub member 3, there is mounted in the chamber 31 on the insulating ring 52 a U-shaped insulating member 56, Figs. 1 and 2, between the arms of which are disposed the contacts 53 and 54.

In Fig. 7 is shown my improved mechanismmounted on a tsteerii i-g oo stihaving :a conical upper; port1.onf 257,.19 a sleeve 58,; corresponding other -=respectsthe kpa-rts are the asame in form positton and t-iiuncti'on asf -hereinbeifore' described:

wTo prevent; the conductors :46 from beingtampere'd with, thQSBICOIldHGtOIS .kmay

be passed downwardly through the steering post basing, .;or covered in any suitable manner. y 1 1 I I I :I do not limit my 1 inventionkto tthe structure shownan'd described, as. manyxmodifi cations, within the Scope of .the iappencled claims .may the made u-without de'panting from the spirit of my inventiom vVIhatfI.claimis-z i 1. In an aiutomobile isteering' mechanis m,

a hub member,means.adaptedttobetitted 011 an automobile steerinq'post for'loclting said member to said post, .a .steeringameinber, the latter and .saidi hub having ico operating fitting :means'tby which saldasteering member in position upon said ihub rlmemb er, 1 and releasable means :for ilockinglsai'd smeinbers ofthe positions." i

2. In an automobile steering mechanism, a hub member, a sleeve adapted to be fitted together with the steering member in ieither on a steering post of an automobile, means.

for locking the'sleeve to the post and to the hub member, a steering member, the latter hic'hi-isisfitted v 'iiunctionypo-i sition and outside d'ia-meter-itosthe sleet e74, but 1 avingfa conicalzbore toifititheaconical portion 57 of .the steering post. -T IIiiall is revolublefon and ,adaptedtto be reversed and said hub having co-operatingfitting meansby which said steering member is revoluble on and adapted to be reversed in .position on said hub member, and releasable means for locking said members together with thevsteering member in either of the positions.

3. In an automobile steering mechanism, a hub member, means adapted to be fitted on an automobile steeringipost for locking said member to said post, asteering meme her, the latter and said hub having co-oper T ating tting means by which said steering member is revoluble on and adapted to be reversed in position upon said hub member,

a locking member movable to two positions in one of which 1t will lock said hub. memher and said' steering member'together, with the steering member in either of the posilit).

tions and key operated means for movingsaid locking member to one of said two positions 4. In an automobile steering mechanism, a hub member, means adapted to-be fitted on an automobile steering )ost l or'locking said member to saidpost, a steering member, the latter and said hub having co-operating fitting means by which said steering m m er is re o uble 0n a d a apted to be i i positions. a

reversedin' position upon said hub member,

circuit ;.'oontrollingfi means, and releasable means for locking eaid members together arrangedto'operate said controlling means withrthe-ssteering member in either of the "L5.-In an automobile steering mechanism, a hub member, means adapted to be fitted on an automobile steering post for locking said mmber to sa d post, a steerlng member, 'the latter and said hub having co-operating'fitting means by Which'said steering memberisrevoluble-on and adapted to be reversed 'in position upon said hub member, automobile ignition circuit controlling means,.and releasable means for locking said "members together arranged to operate said controlling means with the steering member in either of the positions v '6. In an automobile steering mechanism,

7 a hub member, means adapted to be fitted on an automobile steering post for locking said member to said post, a steering me-mber, thelatter and said hub having copperating-t fitting means byvvhich said steering member is revoluble on and adapted'to be reversed in .position upon said hub memher, a locking member for locking said hub member and said steering member together,"

With the steering member in either of the positions, a cap adapted to' cover the upper end of said steering post, and cap looking I means actuated by saidlocking member for locking said cap' to said-steering member when the locking member; is in either the looking or unlocked position and arranged to rele'asesaid cap When'the looking member is in a position intermediate of the locking and unlocked (positions. 7 I

- 7. In an automobile steering mechansm,

a'hub member, means adapted to be fitted on an automobile steering post for locking" said member tosaid post, a steering member revoluble on said hub member, a looking member movable to and from a position in Which it will lock the steering memberto said hub member, a cap adapted to cover the I ing and unlocked positions; and ignition circuit controlling means operable by said locking member.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification. i

EDWIN o. RENAUDQ 

